Tony CappaertGrassroots Business Fund, Strategic Initiative Manager
Tony Cappaert is an Inspire Fellow at the Grassroots Business Fund (GBF), an impact investment fund that provides capital and capacity building to high impact social enterprises in developing countries. As a Strategic Initiative Manager at GBF, Tony is responsible for analyzing social and financial metrics in the existing portfolio and developing several key initiatives, including a new capacity building fund. He previously worked at Microsoft in the Online Services Division, where he managed projects with premium online advertising publishers to drive greater revenue and customer satisfaction. Tony has served as a business development mentor with Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (CASH), and has volunteered as a consultant with ACCIÓN USA and New Sector Alliance. Tony graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Management Science and concentrations in Finance and Marketing.
David DeVaughnFamily Health International, Business Planning & Strategy Analyst
David DeVaughn is an Inspire Fellow at Family Health International, where he is coordinating a strategy development effort to protect and enhance the organization’s competitiveness in new and existing areas of funding. He began his career in the Boston office of Cambridge Associates, a consulting firm to non-profits and foundations, where he advised various arts, educational, and other non-profit institutions on their endowments. Through his work, David brings experience in comparative analysis, project management and in-depth knowledge of institutional investment funds. David has volunteered at a number of public health non-profit organizations and initiatives, including a summer fellowship with the Fitness Forward Foundation in Boston. David graduated with a B.S. in American Studies, concentrating in Latino Studies, from Williams College.
Tiffany GohACCION International, Impact Investing Analyst
Tiffany Goh is an Inspire Fellow with ACCION International’s Frontier Investments Group, where she is responsible for helping to develop Frontier’s strategy and growth plans as well as evaluating new investment opportunities. Prior to joining ACCION, Tiffany spent three years in Credit Suisse’s Alternative Investments division in New York. As an analyst with Strategic Partners, Credit Suisse’s secondary private equity group, Tiffany focused on the valuation and execution of secondary investments in buyout, venture capital and real estate funds across a number of different industries and geographies. Tiffany has been an active volunteer for several years, participating in organizations including New York Cares and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Tiffany graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Policy Analysis and Management.
Kimberly HalpinGAVI Alliance, Innovative Finance Analyst
Kimberly Halpin is an Inspire Fellow at GAVI Alliance, a unique public-private partnership that develops and supports innovative ways to increase immunization in developing countries. As an Innovative Finance Analyst, Kimberly supports the design, structure and implementation of innovative finance mechanisms used to fund GAVI’s mission. She is responsible for developing Innovative Finance’s strategy, analyzing new and existing initiatives as well as coordinating communication materials. Prior to joining GAVI, Kimberly spent two years as an Investment Banking Analyst with Deutsche Bank in New York. In the Equity Capital Markets group, Kimberly analyzed, structured and executed equity and equity-linked transactions for clients in the financial services and natural resources industries. Kimberly graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.
Tiffany HawkinsEagle Academy Public Charter School, Project Manager for Growth
Tiffany Hawkins is an Inspire Fellow at Eagle Academy Public Charter School, where she is coordinating the launch of Powerschool, a centralized student information system and assisting with ongoing program development activities. Launching Powerschool will help improve the management of student information records, provide increased reporting capabilities and capture key data for each student. Tiffany began her career as a Management Consultant at Accenture where she worked within the public sector as part of both the Reston and Philadelphia offices. She has experience with large-scale system implementations and business process design. Tiffany graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Supply Chain Management from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Maurice MatthewsYear Up, Operations and Special Projects Manager
Maurice Matthews is an Inspire Fellow at Year Up, where he is responsible for evaluating new expansion opportunities and managing the site’s budget and relationship with Venture Philanthropy Partners. He began his career at JPMorgan as a Private Banking Analyst, assisting in managing the assets of ultra net worth individuals and families. Outside of his business experience, Maurice served 2 years as an infantryman within the US Army, spending 16 months in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. Maurice has worked with a number of non-profit organizations throughout his career, including Harlem Children’s Zone, Harlem Charter School and Columbia University’s Community Impact. Maurice graduated magna cum laude from Florida A&M University with a B.S. in Political Science and Economics.
Crystal MooreDistrict of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) – Office of Secondary School Transformation, Business Analyst
Crystal Moore is an Inspire Fellow at the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). As a Business Analyst in the Office of Secondary School Transformation, she conducts analysis necessary to make data-driven decisions that forward the districts’ reform efforts of becoming the preeminent urban school system in America. Crystal is responsible for analyzing the key drivers of secondary school performance, enhancing performance management, the project management for test administration, and managing strategic initiatives. Crystal started her career as a Corporate Finance analyst with Accenture in Washington, DC. There she worked in the Health and Public Service Operating Group managing consulting and outsourcing contracts and business units for public sector clients. Crystal graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Finance from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2007; where she served as Student Body President and was the recipient of the Saint Katharine Drexel Award, the University’s highest student honor. She has been a passionate volunteer and member of several non-profit organizations throughout her career, including College Summit, Junior League of Northern Virginia, and Greater DC Cares. Additionally, she currently serves on Xavier University Young Alumni Board.
Teja PadmaFamily Health International, Business Planning & Strategy Analyst
Teja Padma is an Inspire Fellow at Family Health International, where she is working on a number of business planning & strategy initiatives, in particular identifying business opportunities in the global health and development field. She began her career at Mercer, where she was involved in healthcare consulting, managed multiple client accounts, and conducted market research and financial analysis for employers in the retail, technology, and public sectors. While working at Mercer, she also worked as a Project Assistant for a start-up international development organization called Hayward Alker Development Assistance, where she researched the social implications and methods of microfinance practices and business development services, helped develop programs that target education and training for underserved micro-entrepreneurs and partnered with NGOs in the development field to carry out business development projects. Teja graduated from the University of Southern California with an International Relations/Global Business major.
Kathleen SheehanDC Prep Public Charter School, Operations Manager
Kathleen Sheehan is an Inspire Fellow at the DC Preparatory Academy’s Edgewood Middle School Campus. As Operations Manager, she works closely with the school principal to ensure that the school runs smoothly and the students can thrive in a conducive learning environment. She oversees daily operational activities, business administration, supports student recruitment and enrollment, and also assists with academic intervention initiatives. Kathleen began her career at Federal News Service, an international news wire, where she managed a team and initiated systems to optimize workflow management. She also pioneered a Spanish transcription department at Federal News Service to open up the news wire to the Spanish language market. Kathleen graduated from Georgetown University with a BA in government and she continues to enjoy reading the Sunday Washington Post and watching “Meet the Press.” She loves to try new restaurants and generally take advantage of all that D.C. has to offer.
Reena SikdarEagle Academy Public Charter School, Project Manager for Organizational Improvement
Reena Sikdar is an Inspire Fellow at Eagle Academy Public Charter School, where she is responsible for implementing the Eagle Academy assessment program, the communications program, and special projects. She began her career as a sales analyst at General Mills, where she first worked in the world headquarters to enhance and communicate the national category management platforms, consumer insights and strategies to the sales force. She then moved to an account management and planning role on the Kroger account, implementing corporate strategy and influencing salesplan and new item acceptance. Outside of work, she is an active volunteer and an accomplished musician. Reena graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing focus from the Fisher College of Business, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Arts and Sciences Honors Program.
Laura StephensonLatin American Youth Center, Special Projects Manager and Board Liaison
Laura Stephenson is an Inspire Fellow at the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), where she is responsible for managing special projects, streamlining operational processes, facilitating the development of a new strategic plan, and serving as the liaison to the LAYC Board of Directors. Prior to the LAYC, Laura worked at Booz Allen Hamilton as a Senior Consultant on the Strategy and Organization team. At Booz Allen, Laura consulted for five large federal agencies in the areas of strategic and implementation planning, strategic communications, and project scheduling and management. Outside of work, Laura is an active volunteer and has worked on three pro bono consulting projects with nonprofit organizations in the DC Metro Area. Laura graduated cum laude from Georgetown University with a BA in Spanish and Government, and enjoys speaking Spanish, cooking, traveling internationally, and spending time with family and friends.
Erika WhiteAssociation for Enterprise Opportunity, Project Manager
Erika White is an Inspire Fellow at the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the national membership organization and voice of microenterprise in the United States. As Project Manager of U.S. Microfinance Industry Strategy with AEO, Erika leads analyses of microfinance technology, related industry market analysis and policy issues, particularly related to informing microfinance restructuring program and strategic planning. Prior to joining AEO, Erika was an Analyst with Jones Lang LaSalle’s Public Institutions team where she developed strategic alternatives to public sector real estate portfolios to maximize cost efficiency and to achieve organization mission-related goals. Erika performed comprehensive market analysis, financial analysis and policy research to support each strategic alternative. Erika has been playing competitive soccer for over 15 years. She enjoys mentoring, traveling, writing and outdoor sports. Erika graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Intellectual History.
